Dispenser for sticklike articles



Sept. 30, 1947. J, c. WALDO 2,428,132

DISPENSER FOR STICKLIKE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 21, 1946 3k za cient extent for finger grasping Patented Sept. 39, 1947 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,428,132 nrsr snsn'n Fen s rIcKLiKE Aa'inctss James C; Waldo, Toledo, Ohio Application January 21, 1946, Serial in. 642575 This invention relates to a container magazine from which elements may be withdrawn one-at-atime, with the succession of such elements automatically located conveniently for maintenance of the withdrawal in sequence.

This invention has utility when incorporated in a supply chamber for tooth-picks oi the small splint or Wood type disposed in parallel relation ina hopper or chute toward a downward crevice having a back clearance medial region toexpose at least one of the toothp'icks transversely asuffiat such midpoint region of the lowermost toothpick. Free falling of the bottom or valve-closure-providing toothpick is due to yield clearance in the chute or way approach to the region of withdrawal. However, at the region of withdrawal the yield is effective in such close proximity to the discharge crevice therefrom, that the final toothpick is there lodged. The angle of repose of the overburden toothpicksis not such as to thrust this final element clear of the chute; but it is such that as the final or bottommost toothpick be pulled out its place is at once taken by a single toothpick lodging in its stead. The yield-holding of the toothpick at its regions on opposite sides of the mid-point clearance, where it is grasped for removal, is sufficiently strong that the lodged pick so remains, but sufficiently weak, that upon finger grasping at the midpoint,

there is no bending or breaking of the slender toothpick as removed.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of an embodiment of the invention for dispensing toothpicks;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the pedestals, with a portion of the base therefor;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the removable container or central portion of the unit oi Fig. 1, oriented to charge receiving position, and

Fig. 4 is a partial section and end elevation from the left of Fig. 1, the section being on the line IV-IV.

An embodiment of the invention comprises a base I. Spaced apart and rising therefrom is a pair of pedestals 2, 3, of complementary right and left similar configuration, When constructing the item of plastic or other moldable material, the pedestals 2, 3, may be in one piece with the base I, with opposing parallel faces 4 rising from the base I. The remote or are sides of the respective pedestals 2, 3, have rising from the base I fiutings 5, 6, in parallel with the outer edges of the fluting ways slightly overhung. Accordingly, these 3 Claims. (Cl. 312- 73) provide retaining seats for stackso'd disk-shaped items, such as mints, chewing gum, digestion promotion tablets, and the like. The overhang region is sufficient to retain the tablet stack with the pedestal. The clearance between the overhangs of a fiuting is ample to permit one to insert a finger tip and lift out one or more tablets, as desired- The lift may be straight up out of the top at a port I.

In the build-up herein shown as a two-element structure, between the pair of pedestals 2, 3, may be inserted a magazine or article dispensing receiver or container comprising areshaped top 8 symmetrical with the'rounded -suni mits of the pedestals 2, 3, in giving a slightly stream-lined general con guration to the unit. Continuation of the top wall 8 is a vertical front side 9 to a straight lower edge Hi having a medial arc recess H. Depending from the rear side of the top 8 and in continuity there'- from but tapering or slanting forwardly a companion wall 12 having its lower edge l3 parallel to but slightly spaced from the edge ll) of the front wall or side 9. A clearance nctch or arc. recess M centrally of the edge is is in register with the recess Hv of the edge l9; Flus with the edges of the depending sidewalls '9, t2, the arc top 8' has end semicircular disk portions [5. From the top downward, the outer face of each end l5 has a dovetail or undercut rib is adapted to register with complementary seat; ll of sufficient downward extent from the are top pedestals for the top 8 td register smoothly therewith in the unit assembly.

It is to be noted that in the preferred con struction,v the relatively longer chute side I2 is in itself sl'ghtly resilient or yield'able; The purpose th'eri is it may ma'ntain a spa ing or crevice way is of such transverse dimension as justto' retain an object, as a toothpick it from falling, but sufficiently local in this terminal engagement to allow the lowermost toothpick of the stack or charge thereof as in parallel in chamber 20 of the second element 8, 9, I2, of the unit, to be across the finger way region I l, M. In such location, the bottom-most toothpick l9 may be engaged by ones fingers, to be readily released thru the port or way l8. As this single toothpick I9 is withdrawn, automatically the place it vacated is taken by a follower toothpick in the stack. There is thus maintained for dispensing service a short medial exposed toothpick region at the notches ll, 14, for the next toothpick dispensing service.

While the character of the Wall 12, say

as to its plastic nature, may retain the efilcient resilient response for holding the article dispensing one-at-a-time and that without hazard even to the frail structure of a wooden toothpick medially grasped, occasion may arise for prolonging the efficient life performance of the item, say at a cashiers desk in a restaurant, or other general service place frequented by patrons. Somewhat back from the edge l3, and equal distances from the edge 13, may be a pair of ports 2! inclined upward and outward thru the wall 12, to have thrust therethru parallel legs 22 Of a U-strip having an outside connecting portion 23. Of perfumed, breath treating, mouth care promotion properties in a fiber, paper or plastic 22, there is thus achieved final holding for release of a toothpick i9, yieldably wiped on such release with disinfectant, antiseptic, germicidal, pleasant-odor-iimparting treatment. Maintenance of the desired eificiency of impregnation is thru reversal of the insert 22, 23, and replacement.

The removable insert 22, 23, may be impregnated thruout. However, for effective performance there should be impregnation 24 adjacent the crevice between the edges ll, [3, upon the opposite sides of the finger grip clearance l I, M. In this location, as the toothpick I9 is withdrawn, the end portions thereof are each given the treatment as fresh for forthwith introduction of either end of the toothpick into the users mouth.

Location of the unit at the cashiers desk, as a cashiers aid, renders the service for teeth attention thru the supply of a toothpick, but more extended service is as readily available thru the supply of tablets 25 of various kinds in the several seats 5, 6, located upon the outer sides of the pedestals 2, 3, opposite from the seats ll locating the magazine having the chamber 20 for toothpick supply.

Upon occasion for restocking the chamber 20 with toothpicks, the intermediate element 8, 9, i2, is lifted out, turned to direct the crevice portion upwardly. This exposes the triangular open ends above the disk portions l5, so that the toothpicks may be piled in, even to extend upward into the now-inverted chute region. The toothpicks as so placed, should not have the ends extend out.

, As so charged, the receptacle may be oriented and located for its seat portions pedestal seats 11.

The assembly is of arch suggestiveness with a rectangular clearway between the pedestals below the chute discharge crevice. The rightand-left contour of the pedestals on the base I, impart general bilateral symmetry to the unit as carrying the bridge of the container therebetween.

The flow or flex characteristic for the legs 22 of the insert provides the slight yieldable holding for the lowermost toothpick, especially in the event 16 to register with the the resilient life of the chute side l2 be spent or not initially appropriate.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dispenser unit comprising a platform-providing base, within the bounds of said base a pair of upright pedestals having opposing guide-providing faces forming seats spaced from the base, and an open-ended chute-providing container having seat portions complementary to the seats of the pedestals and adapted to ride along the guide faces to bring the top of the container into flush relation with the tops of the pedestals, said container chute having a discharge slot at the bottom thereof opening downwardly between the pedestals.

2. A dispenser unit comprising a base, spaced inward from the bounds of the base there being a pair of pedestals having opposing parallel faces with inwardly extending guide seats remote from the base andv extending theretoward, the tops of the pedestals in their extent away from the seats being spherically convex, and a container with a semi-cylindrical top having complementary end seats registering with the pedestal seats in bringing the container top in to flush relation with the tops of the pedestals, said container having a pair of converging side walls extending downwardly from its semi-cylindrical top to form a chute with a dispensing slot at the bottom thereof.

3. A dispenser unit including a container having a pair of opposing downwardly converging chute walls ending in parallel spaced portions providing a slot outlet, there being parallel port means in one of the walls spaced from the outlet, and a treatment carrying U-shaped element having resiliency in the legs thereof, said legs of the element being inserted through the port means with the free ends of the legs extending in outlet restricting position whereby articles to be dispensed by removal from the outlet have wiping treatment by the element.

JAMES C. WALDO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

